Location:

Contact:

Driving Directions:

Take Route 2/4 south to approximately 14 miles south of Prince Frederick. Exit onto H.G. Trueman Road. You will be facing the park entrance immediately.

Hours of Operation:

Sunrise to Sunset

Certain activities are permitted outside of the regular park hours (e.g. fishing, boat launch, hunting where permitted). Please check with the park before your visit if you plan to engage in an activity which requires you to be in the park before or after the posted hours.

Pet Policy:

Pets are allowed in Calvert Cliffs State Park.

Hunting Policy:

General hunting permitted in 950 acre designated hunting area with daily sign-in required

Calvert Cliffs State Park

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Calvert Cliffs State Park is a day-use park featuring a sandy beach, unique fossils, recycled tire playground, fishing, a freshwater and tidal marshland and 13 miles of hiking trails located in Calvert County.

History

The massive cliffs, from which Calvert Cliffs State Park was named, dominate the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay for roughly 24 miles in Calvert County and were formed over 10 to 20 million years ago when all of Southern Maryland was covered by a warm, shallow sea. When the sea receded the cliffs were exposed and began eroding. Today these cliffs reveal the remains of prehistoric species Including sharks, whales, rays, and seabirds that were the size of small airplanes.

Features

Fossil Hunting - Fossil hunting can be done at the open beach area at the end of the red trail, approximately 1.8 miles from the parking lot. Over 600 species of fossils from the Miocene era (10 to 20 million years ago) have been identified in the Calvert Cliffs, many of which can be found at Calvert Cliffs State Park. Chesapectens, Ecphora, Miocene era oyster shells, and sharks teeth are common finds. Sieves and shovels can be used to sift the sand for fossils. Please keep in mind that the area beneath the cliffs is closed due to dangerous land slides and the potential for injury. It is illegal to collect fossils beneath the cliffs.**CLIFFS SAFETY NOTICE** - Due to the danger of the landslides caused by cliff erosion and the serious injuries they can cause, climbing upon and walking beneath the cliffs is prohibited. Thank you for your safe cooperation.

Beach - The Calvert Cliffs' beach area is a sandy quarter mile stretch located on the Chesapeake Bay. The shortest route to the beach is the 1.8 mile Red Trail. Fossil hunting and typical beach activities are common reasons people visit the beach. No lifeguard is present and swimming is at your own risk. This beach is located near the Calvert Cliffs. Please keep in mind that the area beneath the cliffs is closed due to dangerous land slides and the potential for injury.

Youth Group Camping -- There are five youth group camping sites available and reservations are required. Youth Group passes are honored. Access to pit toilets, fire ring, and one 12 foot picnic table are provided with each site. (Available April-October) You can make reservations through parkreservations.maryland.gov or by calling 1-888-432-2267.

Nature Trails - Designated as a wild lands area, 1079 acres of the park are preserved for hiking and nature appreciation. Thirteen miles of marked foot trails are open to the public. Cyclists and equestrians are restricted to the service road. Biking and horseback riding are prohibited on designated wild land trails to prevent further impact. The Maryland Park Service does not rent horses, and only provides the trails as a means of recreation.

Recycled Tire Playground - Calvert Cliffs State Park offers an accessible tire playground located in the main day-use area.

Fishing - A one acre fishing pond is located in the picnic area. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license is required for anyone 16 years and older. A Maryland Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing license is required for fishing at the beach, which is located on the Chesapeake Bay. Visit DNR's online Fishing Guide for more information.

Hunting - Approximately 550 acres are open to hunting for upland game, turkey and deer. Upland game species include squirrels and rabbits. Turkey hunting is permitted only during the spring gobbler season. Deer hunting is permitted during seasons established by the Wildlife and Heritage Division. All hunters must register at the hunter parking area. For information about hunting, visit The Maryland DNR Guide to Hunting and Trapping.Hunters may enter / remain on park property outside of the regular posted hours provided that they are engaged in legitimate, authorized hunting activity.

Hours and Fees - Hours of operation are sunrise to sunset daily, year round. Day use service charge is $5/vehicle ($2 additional for out-of-state residents), small bus $10, large bus $20. Cash only.

Handicap Accessibility - Handicap access to the beach can be arranged by calling the headquarters office at 301-743-7613 at least two weeks prior to your visit. Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Access For All website for more information.

Trail Map

A new map of the trails at Calvert Cliffs State Park can be downloaded for free from this website. Please make sure to read the printing instructions and information for how to download the file to cell phones. The map is in a PDF format that requires Adobe Reader. To get the free Adobe Reader go to Adobe.com.

Calvert Cliffs is run in partnership with the Friends of Calvert Cliffs State Park. The Friends of Calvert Cliffs State Park hold a regular work day on the first Saturday of every month, weather permitting. This is a great opportunity to stop by and meet the volunteers and see what they are all about. For information on becoming a volunteer with Calvert's Friends Organization you may contact them at:

Correspondence: Calvert Cliffs is part of the Southern Maryland Recreational Complex. All correspondence, questions and concerns should be directed to Smallwood State Park at the address and phone number listed below.

Plan Ahead for "Filled To Capacity" Park Closures

Calvert Cliffs State Park is one of Maryland’s most popular parks and serves a very high volume of visitors during summer weekends and holidays. To ensure the safety of our visitors and protection of the park’s natural resources and facilities, the park has a limited capacity.

During periods of high visitation, when the park’s capacity is reached, the park will be closed and traffic will be turned away from the park entrance. When that occurs, no additional vehicles / visitors will be allowed to enter the park, including those with members of their party who may already be in the park. If you are not traveling in the same vehicle with others in your party, we suggest that you all arrive at the same time.

When the park is closed due to being full to capacity, individuals and groups with shelter and/or camping reservations will be admitted, as parking is reserved for those purposes.

Based on recent experience and visitation trends, and depending on good weather, Calvert Cliffs State Park will likely fill to capacity and close on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day holiday weekends, and other weekends during the course of the summer. Please take this into consideration when planning your trip.